Patient litter basket with spin control

ABSTRACT

A patient litter basket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket is provided. The assembly comprises thruster unit for discharging an air stream and is mounted on the patient litter basket. At least one sensor is associated with the thruster unit for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patient litter basket, and a power source is provided for powering the thruster unit and the sensor. A clamp member mounts on the patient litter basket and releasably receives the thruster unit. The sensors modulate the force of the air stream from the thruster unit so that the air stream counters the rotational movement of the patient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by preventing the spin.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/585,375 filed Jan. 26, 2022, which is acontinuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/505,999 filed Oct. 20, 2021, which is a continuation in partapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/932,963 filed Jul.20, 2020, which claims the benefit of United States Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/876,545 filed Jul. 19, 2019, and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 63/018,657 filed May 1, 2020, the contents of allof which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a patient litter basket with spin controlcapabilities. The invention in one aspect, is for a patient litterbasket, preferably for use in medical airlift or rescue operations,wherein a patient or person is placed in the litter basket for removaland transportation to a hospital or other location. The litter baskethas associated therewith structures and machinery which are intended toeliminate or reduce spin of the litter basket, which may be induced byambient air movement, either from current environmental conditions, thehelicopter or aircraft rotors (down wash), or a mixture of both oradditional factors.

The use of helicopters and other aircraft is well known and commonlyutilized for rescuing and transporting injured or ill patients who maybe located in an area which is difficult to access in the normal course,due to the absence of roads or adequate pathways leading to and fromsuch area. Even where access is available, a helicopter rescue ortransport may be needed where the patient is in a critical condition andneeds to be transported to a hospital in less time than it would takefor regular forms of transportation, such as in ambulances.

Helicopter rescue of patients is normally accomplished by landing thehelicopter nearby the person needing attention. However, there may bemany instances where there is no suitable landing site or pad for thehelicopter, and the patient must be reached and placed in the helicopterwhile the helicopter continues to remain airborne, hovering near thepickup site. In such instances, a typical manner for rescue is to lowera patient litter basket from the helicopter by means of a winch, whenthe helicopter is more or less directly overhead or nearby the patient.The winch may comprise a cable which is unreeled, the cable having ahook, swivel or other mechanical structure at its one end by means ofwhich the patient litter basket is attached thereto. There may be aplurality of cables between the hook, swivel or other mechanicalstructure and the patient litter basket itself, in order to provide morestability to the patient litter basket.

One of the issues in such rescues relates to the possibility that thepatient litter basket may begin to spin, which may be the result ofambient wind and weather conditions (such as, for example, fire drivenwindstorms), or the downdraft of the helicopter rotor itself. While asmall amount of spin induced by such conditions may not be a problem,the induced spin may accelerate and increase so that the number ofrevolutions of the litter basket per minute becomes at least unpleasantfor the patient, sometimes inducing sickness, and often dangerous to thepatient or the rescue operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is therefore directed towards a device for use inassociation with a patient litter basket of the type described above,which is able to sense induced spin, and provide necessary counterthrust to keep the patient litter basket relatively stable, topotentially eliminate or substantially reduce any spin which may be inresponse to the ambient conditions.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is thereforeprovided a patient litter basket assembly with at least one cableconnector for attachment to a cable which may be raised and lowered froman aircraft such as a helicopter or drone. The litter basket itself maycomprise an elongate structure having a base and sidewalls of sufficientheight to protect the patient or person therein, as well as connectorpoints or channels for the cable connectors. In one form of theinvention, the patient litter basket further comprises at least onethruster unit for discharging air in the appropriate direction, oppositeto the direction of spin, and which is of sufficient force to slow orstop the spin.

A single thruster unit may be provided which is able to discharge air inopposing directions, according to and in response to the direction ofinduced spin, or there may be two or more thruster units, each of whichdischarges air in one direction only. In either event, discharged airfrom the single or plurality of thruster units will be based on thesensed direction of spin, to counteract such spin.

In another embodiment of the invention, there may be associated with thepatient litter basket a wind deflector which is located in the downwashor path of the air stream produced by the rotor of the helicopter,wherein the wind deflector is selectively movable between incrementalpositions in which it may deflect more of the downwash or air stream ofless of the downwash or air stream, so that sufficient deflection isoptimally achieved at any one point to counter the spin of the patientlitter basket, and thereby keep the patient litter basket reasonablystable.

The patient litter basket assembly also preferably comprises agyroscope, for sensing movement and spin, and for activating thethruster units or suitably positioning the wind deflector as appropriateto counteract the induced spin of the litter basket. Preferably, thegyroscope comprises a no spin yaw gyroscope. Note that other types ofsensors for detecting spin may also be used, and the invention is notlimited to one which uses gyroscopes.

The thruster units and/or wind deflector assembly may be located at oneor more convenient positions on the patient litter basket itself, or onthe cable connectors from which the patient litter basket is suspendedand attached. Where a wind deflector assembly is utilized, it will beplaced in a position so that it can take advantage of and benefit fromthe downwash or downdraft from the overhead helicopter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patient litter basket assembly inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a patient litter basket assembly inaccordance with a further aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a patient litter basket assembly inaccordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a patient litter basket assembly inaccordance with a further aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the thruster unit and bracket of thepatient litter basket assembly as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side section and end view schematic representationsof the thrusters and airflow of a patient litter basket assembly inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a clamp mechanism for connecting thethruster unit to a litter basket;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate schematically a side view and front viewrespectively of a litter basket clamp which may be used in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a clamp mounted on a litter basket inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 is a further perspective view of a clamp mounted on a litterbasket, viewed from the front, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a patient litter basket assembly inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation shown in further detail of thethruster unit and wing mechanism of the patient litter basket as shownin FIG. 11 of the drawings;

FIG. 13 is front perspective view of a protector grate and thrust focusassembly for use with a thruster unit of the invention;

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are front, top and side views respectively of theprotector grate and thrust focus assembly for use with a thruster unitas shown in FIG. 13 of the drawings;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a litter basket in accordance with theinvention including a wing member located on the litter basket or framethereof;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a litter basket in accordance with anaspect of the invention and including a thruster unit positioned abovethe litter basket and located between the winch line and the litterbasket of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a top view of a thruster unit assembly, such as that shownpositioned in FIG. 16 , partially in section, for use with a litterbasket in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the thruster unit shown in FIG. 17 of thedrawings;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the thruster unit shown in FIG. 17 of thedrawings; and

FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C are top, end and side views respectively of alift ring which may be used in accordance with one aspect of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which show differentaspects of a patient litter basket assembly in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a patient litter basket assembly 10 inaccordance with the invention. The assembly 10 includes a patient litterbasket 12, of elongate size and a somewhat narrower width, with a base14 and sidewalls 16 defining a patient space 18. The patient or personspace 18 is of sufficient size to allow such person to be placed in thepatient litter basket 12 in a supine position, and there may beappropriate contours, securing straps, mattresses or padding, and otherstructures to properly secure the person within the patient litterbasket 12 in a secure and comfortable position.

The patient litter basket 12 has a pair of connecting tabs 22 on each ofthe longitudinal side edges thereof. Other forms of connection besidesconnecting tabs may be provided on the patient litter basket 12illustrated in accordance with this embodiment of the invention. Aconnector cable 24 is secured in an aperture 26 of each of theconnecting tabs 22, and extends to a hook 28 with swivel device 30. Thehook 28 with swivel device 30 is attached to a winch line 32 at one endthereof. At the other end, the winch line 32 is attached to a winch drumor spool (not shown) which, in conventional fashion, can be rotatedeither by hand manually or, more conventionally in larger applications,by a winch motor where the loads are heavier. The winch spool istherefore able to raise and lower the winch line 32 and the attachedswivel 30 with hook 32 at the other end.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, a no spin thruster unit 40 is attached to apair of the cables 24, in a position just above the top edges of thepatient litter basket 12. Preferably, this attachment portion is at thefoot end 44 of the patient litter basket 12, so that the head of thepatient or person being airlifted will be further from this thrusterunit 40 in order that it should cause less discomfort, such as throughvibration or noise, to such person. The thruster unit 40 is alsopreferably positioned so as to interfere as little as possible with theplacement and removal of the person within the patient litter basket 12.The thruster unit 40 is generally of tubular shape, and has latches ortabs 46 by means of which it can attached to the connector cables 24.There are several different mechanisms and configurations by means ofwhich the thruster unit 40 can be attached to the cables 24, and all ofthese constitute a part of the present invention. For example, thecontinuous connector cables may be threaded through the tabs 46 orlatches of the thruster unit 40. In another embodiment, the connectorcables may not be continuous but each connects to the thruster unit 40at a tab 46 or connection point thereon.

Associated with the thruster unit 40 is a sensor 50 (in FIG. 6 forexample), which may preferably be in the form of a gyroscope, and whichis capable of sensing the position and/or movement and/or orientation ofthe patient litter basket 12. As previously mentioned, the patientlitter basket 12 may start to spin, wherein the spin is induced by thedownwash of the helicopter rotor blades, ambient wind or atmosphericconditions, or a combination of these and potentially other factors.These are the more common conditions which cause spin, but, for thepurposes of this invention, it does not matter at all what causes thespin, and it is the purpose of the invention to counteract such spinwhatever its origin or the cause of it might be.

The thruster unit 40 in accordance with this aspect of the inventioncomprises propellers or rotor blades 54 contained within the generallytubular or cylindrical housing 56 or container. There may be a singlerotor blade 54 within the housing, or multiple blades. When the rotatorblades 54 are activated, a thrust is provided, forcing outwardly fromone of the open ends 58 or 60 of the thruster unit 40.

If a single, or even several, rotator blades 54 are contained within thehousing 56 of the thruster unit 40, the direction of the air dischargemay be achieved by spinning the rotator blades 54 either clockwise orcounterclockwise to achieve the discharge of air or thrust in thedesired direction. In another embodiment, rotator blades 54 may beprovided, with one or more rotator blades for moving to provide thrustin one direction, while one or more other rotator blades are moved toprovide thrust in the other opposing direction. These are two examples,and other configurations and possibilities for within the scope of theinvention.

The rotator blades 54 within the thruster unit 40 are activated when thesensor 50 detects that the patient litter basket 12 is starting torotate about its vertical axis due to, for example, induced spin fromthe helicopter downwash or other atmospheric conditions. The directionand angular speed of spin is detected, and a selected rotator blade orblades 54 within the thruster unit 40 is activated so as to provide acounter force to the direction of spin. Clearly, where the spin isslower, less thrust will be required from the thruster unit 40.Conversely, where the induced spin is the result of powerful outsideforces, the thruster unit 40 will provide more thrust, as necessary. Thesensors 50 associated with the thruster unit 40 continuously measure thespin or angular rotation of the patient litter basket 12, so that thethrust, as well as the direction of thrust, may be continuouslymodulated according to the external forces and the extent of spin thepatient litter basket 12 may be undergoing at any one time.

The thruster unit 40 itself is preferably electrically operated such asby batteries 70, such as shown in FIG. 5 , preferably rechargeablebatteries, or it may have electric input cables from the helicopter ordrone. Other forms of power may also be used, including a gas poweredengine which is also receptive to ambient spin conditions frominformation received from onboard sensors 50, such as a gyroscope. Notethat there may be as many sensors 50, in desired and selected locationson the patient litter basket 12 or the connector cables 24, as may benecessary to accurately sense and control and counteract the spin of thepatient litter basket 12 caused by the ambient conditions.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 of the drawings. FIG. 2 of the drawingsshows a patient litter basket assembly 12 in many ways similar to thatshown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. In FIG. 2 , however, it will be seenthat two thruster units 40 a 40 b are provided, both located on theconnector cables 24 between the patient litter basket 12 and the swivel30 and hook 28 structure. Each of the thruster units 40 a and 40 b isconnected to the sensing apparatus 50 of the assembly 12. In thisembodiment, the first of the thruster units 40 a discharges in onedirection, while the second of the thruster units 40 b discharges in anopposing direction. According to the spin of the patient litter basket12, one of the thruster units 40 a or 40 b will be activated tocounteract any spin to which the patient litter basket 12 is beingsubjected. One potential advantage of having the two thruster units,each providing thrust in opposite directions, is that both can becontinually running at a very low level during the rescue operation, andimmediately accelerated or sped up as the situation requires. This mayprovide a shorter reaction time and thus be more effective than having asingle thruster unit 40 which, for example, may need to stop therotating of the blades in one direction and commence rotating suchblades 54 in the opposite direction to reverse thrust, if required byexternal forces.

FIG. 3 of the drawings shows a patient litter basket assembly 12 inaccordance with a further aspect of the invention. In this embodiment, apair of thruster units 40 a and 40 b are provided, not on the connectorcables as shown in the previous embodiments, but rather mounted on aframe or structure or bracket 70 at one end of the patient litter basket12.

In fact, the thruster units 40 may be located in many differentpositions relative to the patient litter basket 12, either directly onthe patient litter basket 12, or on the cables 24 from which it issuspended. A single thruster unit 40 may be provided, or a multiple orplurality of such thruster units 40 may be provided and may be locatedat different points or positions on or relative to the patient litterbasket 12. In any situation, a configuration which best meets the typeof situation which is likely to be encountered in actual rescue andrecovery operations is selected, and it is to be noted that the thrusterunits 40 may be removable on or with respect to the patient litterbasket 12 so that they can be charged, serviced and maintained when notin use. The patient litter basket and the connector cables may beconfigured so that a preferred location or locations can be selected forthe thruster units in any particular operation, depending upon ambientconditions, the nature of the operation, and such other factors.

FIG. 4 of the drawings shows a further embodiment of a patient litterbasket assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention. In thisfigure, there is shown the patient litter basket 12, suspended from acable 24 and swivel 30, or winch line 32, controlled from a helicopter.In this embodiment, the swivel 30 includes a connector portion 80 forfastening to the winch line 32, and a hook 28 for fastening to thebracket arm 82 of a thruster unit 40. The thruster unit 40 includesbatteries 84 and a one axis yaw gyro 86, which may be similar to thoseof the type described above. The thruster unit 40 is supported by thebracket arm 82, the end of which has a number of apertures or holes 88for receiving the hook 28 on the swivel assembly 30. As will be seen,there are a plurality of such holes or apertures 88, and the mostsuitable one may be chosen in the circumstances so as to orient andlocate the thruster unit 40 relative to the patient litter basket 12.

FIG. 5 of the drawings shows a detail of the bracket arm 82 in oneembodiment. Details of the construction of the hoist cable 32, connectedto the hoist swivel 80, in turn connected to the hoist hook 28 can beclearly seen, with the hoist hook 28 being received in one of theapertures 88 of the bracket or arm 82. The bracket or arm 82 isconnected to the unit 40 by means of a release pin 90, so that thethruster unit 40 can be readily installed and removed, withoutnecessarily affecting connection of the hoist cable 32 to the patientlitter basket 12.

The arm or bracket 82 has a top set of holes or apertures 92, three innumber as shown in FIG. 5 , and a bottom set of holes or apertures 94,five in number as shown in FIG. 5 . The top holes 92 may be used forconnecting the assembly to the hoist hook 28, while a selected hole oraperture from the bottom set of holes 94 are used for connection of thelitter basket cables 24, which extend from the bracket or arm 82 toappropriate connectors or tabs 26 on the patient litter basket 12itself.

FIG. 5 of the drawings also shows the detail of the thruster unit 40, orno spin unit, including the positioning of the battery 70 outside of theunit 40, so that batteries 70 can be readily removed and replaced asneeded, when depleted of energy. There is further shown a handle 100 forholding the thruster unit 40, as well as a switch guard 102 forprotecting the operational controls and possibly sensitive sensors ofthe thruster unit 40.

FIGS. 6A and 6B of the drawings are section side view and end viewschematic representation of a further embodiment of a patient litterbasket assembly 10. The assembly 10 comprises a housing 56, as well as ajet fan A 110 and a jet fan B 112 contained within the housing 56. Thesejet fans 110 and 112 are back-to-back with respect to each other. Thehousing 56 comprises a plurality of air inlets 114 around thecircumference or outer surface thereof at about the middle of thehousing 56 through which air is drawn when either one of the jet fans A110 or B 112 contained within the housing 56 is operational. The housing56 further comprises a box 118 or compartment for containing theelectronics of the device, as well as a mounting tab.

When jet fan A 110 is not running, and jet fan B 112 is running, air isable to bypass through and around jet fan A 110 to feed jet fan B 112.In this embodiment, the construction of the housing 56 thereforefacilitates the feed of air to whichever of the jet fans 110 or 112 isoperational. This feed is drawn in from the central air inlets 114, aswell as the air outlet 120 or 122 from the other jet fan not currentlyin operation. It will be appreciated that, in this embodiment, only oneof the jet fans 110 or 112 will be running at any one time. Air will bedischarged from the housing 56 by the operating jet fan 110 or 112through the respective end outlet 120 or 122, as illustrated in thisfigure.

FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B of the drawings illustrates a clamp 140 by means ofwhich the thruster unit 40, or no spin unit, may be attached to apatient litter basket 12. The patient litter basket 12 is typicallycomprised of a frame, which may include cylindrically shaped tubes orother components to which the clamp 140 may be attached. In this figure,the clamp 140 comprises a first fixed component 142 including asemicircular shaped recess 144, and a second movable component 146having a correspondingly positioned semicircular shaped recess 148, thesecond component 146 being pivotally connected to the first component142 about a common axis 150 so that it is movable between a first openposition, as shown in FIG. 7 , and a second closed position (as seen inFIGS. 8A and 8B).

The fixed component 142 has at its end opposite to that of thesemicircular recess a receiving section 154 with guide rails 156 oneither side or laterally thereof. The clamp 140 further comprises aclosure mechanism 160 including a knob 162 which is mounted on athreaded shaft 164. The movable component 146 includes a slot 166 at itsone and, which, when the clamp 140 is in the closed position, receivesthe threaded shaft 164. In this position, when the knob 162 istightened, a securing member 170 is moved to abut against acorrespondingly shaped receiving space 172, and when the knob 162 issufficiently tightened, the fixed component 142 and the movablecomponent 146 will be secured in the closed position relative to eachother.

The semicircular recess 144 and 148 present on both of the fixedcomponent 142 and the movable component 146 of the clamp 140 areadjacent each other when so tightened and define a channel 176 whichreceives part of the tubular or cylindrical frame 178 of the patientlitter basket 12. In this way, the clamp 140 can be very securelyfastened to the patient litter basket 12. The receiving section 154 willbe facing upwards, and this receiving section 154, together with itslateral guide rails 156, is able to accommodate, receive and securelyhold a thruster unit 40 in accordance with the invention. The thrusterunit 40 can be easily inserted or removed from the clamp 140. While theclamp 140 can be disconnected from the patient litter basket 12, it mayalso be secured thereto more permanently or for the longer-term, so thatit will always be available for receiving and holding the thruster unit40 when ambient conditions make it a necessity to stabilize the patientlitter basket 12 using the thruster unit 40 to discharge air so as tocounter spin or resist rotational movement induced by ambient wind, orthe downward wash produced by the spinning rotors of the helicopter.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a side view and a front view respectively of theclamp 140 illustrated in FIG. 7 , with the clamp 140 in the closed orlocked position. The tubular portion 178 of the frame on the patientlitter basket 12 can be seen sandwiched between the fixed component 142and the movable component 146 of the clamp 140. FIG. 8A shows the sideview of this arrangement, with the components somewhat spaced from eachother to show their shape and configuration and how they cooperate andfit together, as well as in front view in FIG. 8B. The front view of theclamp 140 in this figure clearly shows the receiving space 154 with thelateral guide rails 156, by means of which the thruster unit 40 iseasily and effectively mounted on the clamp 140.

FIG. 9 of the drawings shows a portion of the patient litter basket 12having an upper tubular frame member 178, and the clamp 140 securelymounted on the upper tubular frame member 178. A receiving space 154 onthe fixed portion 142 of the clamp 140 can be seen on either sidethereof, with guide rails 156, providing an easy snap on or slide onmotion for the thruster unit 40. A safety pin 190 with steel cable 192is provided as a backup connection between these components. FIG. 10 ofthe drawings shows a similar view to that in FIG. 9 , but with the frontof the clamp 140 and its receiving space 154 clearly visible.

FIG. 11 of the drawings illustrates a further embodiment of a patientlitter basket assembly 10 in accordance with the invention.(Corresponding reference numerals to the previous figures will be usedwherever appropriate.) This description also applies with respect toFIG. 12 the drawings, and both of these figures show a deflectorassembly 200 for reducing or countering spin caused by a helicopter orother ambient conditions.

These FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the patient litter basket 12, connectedto a basket lift ring 202 which is itself connected to or a part of thedeflector assembly 200, or no spin unit, in accordance with theinvention. The system includes the mainframe 204, connected to thebasket lift ring 202 at its lower end, and is connectable to a hoisthook 206 at its upper end. The hoist hook 206 is itself connected to aswivel joint 208, which fastens to the hoist cable 210. The patientlitter basket 12 can be lowered or raised using a winch to lay out orhaul in the hoist cable 210.

The housing 214 comprising the deflector assembly 200 is attached to themain frame 204. The housing unit 214 accommodates the gyro and otherelectronics 216, the batteries 218, and a motor 220 is provided which ispowered by these batteries 218. The system further comprises a wing 228,fin or flat platelike member, connected to a pivot shaft 230, the pivotshaft 230 being connected at its opposite end to a pivot gear 232. Themotor 220 includes a drive gear 234, and appropriate activation of themotor 220 and rotation of the drive gear 234 in turn rotates the pivotgear 232. The rotation of the pivot gear 232 will rotate the pivot shaft230 about its axis in the direction of rotation of the pivot gear 232,which in turn rotates the no spin wing 228. A pivot gear stop 240 isprovided to limit the extent of rotation of the pivot shaft 230 andattached fin or wing 228.

If the patient litter basket 12 starts to spin, the onboard gyro andassociated electronics 216 turns on the motor 220, and the drive gear234 thereof, through the pivot gear 232 and pivot shaft 230, rotates thefin or wing 228, preferably through an angle of up to about 180, orabout 90 in each radial direction. FIG. 11 of the drawings illustrateswith the appropriate arrows adjacent to the fin or wing 228 a pivot line242, about which the 90 rotation in opposing directions can be effected.In other embodiments, the wing or fin 228 may be able to move throughdifferent angular distances, as may be needed.

When the wing 228 is generally vertical in position, it will usually beleast affected by the downwash of the helicopter. As it is rotatedtoward the horizontal orientation, it will be increasingly affected bythe downwash, and acquire more and more as it moves to the horizontalthe ability to provide a rotational or counter-rotational force to thespin from the helicopter downwash or ambient wind conditions on thepatient litter basket 12.

The helicopter down wash, impacting the fin or wing 228, will thus beable stop the spin according to its angular position, and the onboardelectronics 216 is able to selectively adjust the position of the fin orthe wing 228 so that it will be properly oriented and positioned toprovide a counter-force to any spin of the patient litter basket 12 fromthe helicopter or ambient conditions. Furthermore, the wing 228 can beincrementally re-oriented as may be necessary, on a real-time basis, sothat its position is always optimal or near optimal to set up thenecessary counter-force for preventing the spin of the patient letterbasket 12, and keeping it substantially stable and safe. In thisembodiment of the invention, the downward drafts or wash from thehelicopter rotors are thus utilized and appropriately harnessed anddeflected in order to reduce or minimize or eliminate the spinning ofthe patient litter basket 12.

The wing member may have a generally flat surface, or it may havecurvature to facilitate air flow over the surface and improveefficiency.

FIGS. 13, 14A, 14B and 14C show various views of a screen or grate 260which is able to fit over the thruster unit 40 of the invention. FIG.14A is a front view, FIG. 14B is a section view through line B-B, andFIG. 14C is a section view through line A-A. This screen or grate 260may have several benefits. In one aspect, it may function as a protectorbarrier between the outside of the thruster unit and the fans within. Itis of course feasible that the fans will rotate at a substantial speedwhen conditions so warrant, and thereby constitute a danger to thoseworking around or near the thruster unit, or the operators of the unititself. The screen or grate 260 is therefore a safety device in onecontext. Furthermore, the screen or grate 260 may also comprisedeflection characteristics so that the discharge of air from thethruster unit can be better focused or directed, and therefore operatemore efficiently.

The screen or grate 260 comprises an outer peripheral ring 262 ofgenerally circular shape, but it may be of any suitable shape configuredso that it will fit on the end of a thruster unit 40. A grid of internalwalls 264 are constructed inside the ring 262. The grid of internalwalls 264 has in the embodiment illustrated a series of first parallelwalls 266 and a set of second parallel walls 268 at approximately rightangles to the first parallel walls 266. Together, these form a pluralityof square spaces 270 through which the air from the thruster unit 40 isexpelled from the assembly. The spaces 270 are small enough to preventfingers or most other objects from touching the fans.

Furthermore, the first and second parallel walls 266 and 268 have aheight or depth in the direction of the airflow. This allows the airflowto be more accurately directed or focused, so that a better and moreefficient discharge of air can be achieved. This structure has a numberof consequential advantages. One such advantage is that less batterypower may be needed since the air flow is more focused, and the amountof air expelled from the thruster unit 40 may be less than wouldotherwise be required. Therefore, fewer batteries may be needed in thedevice, or the same number of batteries would last longer. If fewerbatteries are needed, the device can be lighter, smaller and more easyto maneuver, making for a more efficient and more utilitarian assembly.This is important as size and weight can sometimes be significantfactors in those situations where these types of units of the assemblymay be required.

The screen or grate 260 may be connected to the thruster unit by anysuitable means, such as screws, threaded connectors, snap on connectorsand the like. The ring 262 may also include four handles 272 more orless equi-spaced along the edge thereof to facilitate handlinginstallation of the grate 260. In addition, the first and secondparallel walls 266 and 268 may have a different configuration to thatillustrated. The spaces 270 may be smaller or larger, and the height ordepth of the walls 266 and 268 may be different, even in a single grate260. For example, the walls may have lesser or greater depth at thecenter of the grate 260 compared to the peripheries thereof.

The grill or screen 260 is thus not only for keeping fingers out of thefan blades, to prevent injury to persons and also protect the bladesfrom outside intrusion of foreign objects. It firstly keeps user's safebut unlike a wire screen that lets the air jet dispose in a bell likepattern which loses thrust, this design may focus the air flow into acolumn which may give more thrust using less battery which allows alighter overall design. As mentioned, this can be very important sincethe thruster unit of the invention is often mounted on the end of thelitter basket.

Reference is now made to FIG. 15 of the drawings. The same referencenumerals will be used for components which correspond to those in otherfigures. FIG. 15 shows a litter basket assembly 10 having a litterbasket 12 connected to a swivel 30 by means of a plurality of connectorcables 24. A no spin wing assembly 302 is connected, either morepermanently or releasably, at the foot end 44 of the litter basket 12,and preferably mounted on the upper frame 304. The wing assembly 302includes a housing 306 which houses a motor and electronics and relatedcomponents, and a wing 308 connected to the housing 306 by means of arotatable shaft 310. The components in the housing are able to sense therotation or other movement of the litter basket 12, using gyroscopes forexample, and rotate the wing 302 to a position for utilizing thedownwash from the helicopter rotors by deflection thereof to stabilizethe litter basket 12 and prevent or reduce spin of the litter basket 12.The angle of the wing 308 is modulated on a real time basis to thatadjustment are made constantly and incrementally to keep the litterbasket 12 from spinning to the extent possible. As such, if the litterbasket 12 starts to spin, the onboard gyro turns on the motor to flipthe fin or wing up to 180 degrees, and the helicopter downwash will beused to stop or reduce the spin. The wing may positioned between beingin the vertical plane where it will little or no effect on correctingspin and an angle of about 180 degrees so as to increase as necessarydeflective capability of the downwash to correct any developing spin ofthe litter basket 12.

FIGS. 16 to 18 of the drawings show an embodiment of the invention whichincludes a no spin thruster unit assembly 340 located above the litterbasket 12. The thruster unit assembly 340 comprises a central connectorpiece 342 which has an upper opening 344 which receives and fastens to ahoist line 346, and a lower opening 348 which receives and fastens to aplurality of connector cables 350, which in turn connect to the litterbasket 12 as shown FIG. 16 and in other figures. The thruster unitassembly 340 further comprises a transverse mount bracket 354 extendingaway from the central connector piece 342 on each side thereof. Thetransverse mount bracket 354 defines a housing 360 with an access lid orclosure for accommodating electronic components and other hardware orcomponents, as may be necessary to properly allow the thruster unit 340to operate and function. A wire slot 390 is provided to the thrusterengines, which are described below.

The transverse mount bracket 354 carries at each of its ends a thrusterengine 364 and 366 respectively. The thruster engines 364 and 366connect to the transverse bracket 354 by means of a housing mount 368,and comprise a fan housing, an outer housing 372, and a fan mount 374.Each thruster unit 364 and 366 has a fan motor mounted on a fan motorstrut 382.

As best seen in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 of the drawings, a battery 394 isalso mounted on the transverse mount bracket 354 to power the fan motors380 to drive the fans. Each fan motor 380 drives the fan blade 396 ineach thruster unit 364 and 366. Further, each thruster unit 364 and 366has an outer housing 400 having one open end configured as a focus grill402 and the other open end being the thrust discharge opening throughwhich wind generated by the fan blades 396 is discharged. The focusgrill 402 can be positioned so as to control incoming air. The wind canbe modulated based on ambient needs and requirements so that anappropriately forceful thrust can be achieved to keep the litter basketin a stable orientation and prevent or reduce spinning.

FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C of the drawings show a lift ring 400 inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention. This lift ring 400may constitute and important and unique feature of the invention,providing the litter basket of the invention with a strong a stableconnection, and offering an effective intermediate connector between thelitter basket itself and the helicopter itself. The lift ring 400 is ofan elongate shape with rounded ends, and comprises a hoist end 402 and alitter basket end 404. Between the two ends 402 and 404, there isprovided a connector band 406.

The hoist end 402 includes a hoist cable aperture 408 for receiving acable from the helicopter or other winch, and forms a point ofconnection, preferably releasably, between the two. The litter basketend 404 includes a litter basket cable aperture 410 for receiving one ormore cables extending between the lift ring 400 and the litter basket.

The connector band 406 comprises a fastening area for the thrusters andother hardware as described herein and relating to the stabilization andmovement of the litter basket. It should be noted that the hardwareconnects to the lift ring 400 and does itself constitute a support forthe cables. In other words, the thrusters and other hardware is not adirect intermediary between the helicopter and the litter basket, and itis not necessary that this equipment has the strength and configurationto provide support. Thus, the hook or line from the helicopter or craneattaches to the top hole 408 and the litter basket or load attaches tothe bottom hole 410 of the lift ring. This facilitates a super strongfastening mechanism and does not rely on the thruster unit to do any ofthe lift load. As such, the thruster unit is there just to keep thebasket or load from spinning, and need not perform any other supportingor related function.

In accordance with the invention, there is therefore provided a patientlitter basket assembly comprising a litter basket, means for connectingthe litter basket to a helicopter or drone such that it can be raised orlowered relative to the helicopter or drone, at least one thruster unitpositioned on or adjacent the patient litter basket assembly toselectively provide thrust to counter spin, and sensors position withrespect to the patient litter basket for feeding information to thethruster units on a real-time basis so that the thrust developed by suchthruster units can be immediately modulated according to the exteriorconditions.

Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown shouldbe considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus andprocedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples presentedherein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements,it should be understood that those acts and those elements may becombined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elementsand features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are notintended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.

As used herein, a plurality means two or more. As used herein, a set ofitems may include one or more of such items. As used herein, whether inthe written description or the claims, the terms comprising, including,carrying, having, containing, involving, and the like are to beunderstood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.Only the transitional phrases consisting of and consisting essentiallyof, respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases withrespect to claims. Use of ordinal terms such as first, second, third,etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connoteany priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another orthe temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are usedmerely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain namefrom another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinalterm) to distinguish the claim elements. As used herein, and/or meansthat the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives alsoinclude any combination of the listed items.

1. A patient litter basket spin control assembly comprising: a winddeflector unit for producing an air stream to counter ambient airmovements; sensors associated with the wind deflector unit for sensingambient air movements, the wind deflector unit producing the air streamin response to input from the sensors.
 2. A patient litter basket spincontrol assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensors comprise atleast one gyroscope.
 3. A patient litter basket spin control assembly asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the wind deflector unit comprises a thrusterunit containing fans, the fans producing the air stream which flows in adirection approximately opposite to a direction prevalent in the ambientair movement.
 4. A patient litter basket spin control assembly asclaimed in claim 3 further comprising a patient litter basket, and aconnection member for connecting the thruster unit to the patient litterbasket.
 5. (canceled)
 6. A patient litter basket spin control assemblyas claimed in claim 1 wherein the wind deflector unit comprises agenerally flat wing member having opposing side surfaces mounted on ashaft such that the wing member is rotatable about the axis of theshaft, wherein the wing member presents according to its angularposition a greater or lesser side surface to a downwash from an overheadhelicopter.
 7. A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimedin claim 6 wherein the sensors cause the shaft to rotate incrementallyaccording to the spin of a patient litter basket.
 8. A patient litterbasket spin control assembly for use on a patient litter basket, theassembly comprising: a thruster unit for discharging an air stream andmounted on or near the patient litter basket; at least one sensorassociated with the thruster unit for sensing rotational movement orspin of the patient litter basket; a power source for powering thethruster unit and the sensor; a clamp member for mounting on the patientlitter basket and for releasably receiving the thruster unit; whereinthe sensor modulates the force of the air stream from the thruster unitso that the air stream counters the rotational movement of the patientlitter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by preventing thespin.
 9. A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed inclaim 8 wherein the sensors comprise a plurality of gyroscopes.
 10. Apatient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in claim 8wherein two thruster units are provided, each discharging the air streamin a substantially opposite direction.
 11. A patient litter basket spincontrol assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the thruster unitcomprises a housing of generally tubular shape having a central portionand opposing end portions, a pair of fans mounted in the housing eachnear an opposing end portion and each for discharging the air stream ina substantially opposite direction, the housing comprising a series ofinlets at about the central portion thereof, wherein air intake for thefan is through the opposing end portion and the series of inlets.
 12. Apatient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in claim 8wherein the clamp member comprises a first connector portion forconnecting to the patient litter basket and a second connecting portionfor connecting to the thruster unit, the first connecting portioncomprising a pair of arms pivotable with respect to each other betweenan open and locked position and defining a space for receiving thepatient litter basket, and the second connecting portion comprises areceiving slot and guide rails for releasably receiving and holding afastening panel on the patient litter basket.
 13. (canceled)
 14. Apatient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed in claim 11further comprising a grate protector wherein the grate protectorcomprises a outer perimeter portion defining a central space and aplurality of slats extending through the central space, the slats havinga depth or length in the direction of the air stream and facilitatingthe focusing of the air stream entering or emerging from the thrusterunit as it passes over the slats, to increase efficiency of the airstream.
 15. A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed inclaim 8 wherein the thruster unit comprises a housing, the housinghaving a compartment for accommodating the sensors, electronics andinterchangeable batteries.
 16. A patient litter basket spin controlassembly for use on a patient litter basket raised and lowered by ahelicopter using a cable, the assembly comprising: a deflector winghaving a pair of opposing surfaces, the deflector wing for mounting onor near the cable so that it will be positioned in a downwash of thehelicopter; a shaft upon which the deflector wing is mounted, thedeflector wing being pivotable about the shaft so as to move theopposing surfaces between a substantially vertical orientation and asubstantially horizontal orientation; a motor for rotating the shaft; atleast one sensor for sensing rotational movement or spin of the patientlitter basket; wherein the sensor modulates the angular position of thedeflector wing between the vertical orientation and the horizontalorientation to deflect the downwash to produce an air stream so that theair stream counters or neutralizes the rotational movement of thepatient litter basket to stabilize the patient litter basket by reducingor preventing the spin.
 17. A patient litter basket spin controlassembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the sensors are one or moregyroscopes.
 18. A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimedin claim 16 further comprising a power source in the form of at leastone battery for powering the motor, the battery being removable andreplaceable and rechargeable.
 19. A patient litter basket spin controlassembly as claimed in claim 17 further comprising a main frame having afirst end connectable to the cable and a second end connectable to thepatient litter basket, wherein the motor, sensors and battery arecontained in a housing attached to the main frame, and the shaft ismounted on the main frame and connected to the motor.
 20. A patientlitter basket spin control assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein themotor has a drive gear, and the shaft has a pivot gear, the shaft beingrotated when the drive gear of the motor turns the pivot gear on theshaft.
 21. A patient litter basket spin control assembly as claimed inclaim 16 wherein the sensor modulates the angular position of thedeflector wing incrementally and constantly in real time to be reactiveto rotational movement of the patient litter basket based on currentambient conditions.
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)